Gadwall, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology Typical Voice Size & Shape Gadwall are about the same size as Mallards. Gadwall have a fairly large, square head with a steep forehead. The bill is noticeably thinner than a Mallard's. In flight, the neck is slightly thinner and the wings slightly more slender than a Mallard’s. Color Pattern Male Gadwall are gray-brown with a black patch at the tail. Females are patterned with brown and buff. Females have a thin orange edge to their dark bills. In flight, both sexes have a white wing patch that is sometimes visible while swimming or resting. Behavior Gadwall feed with other dabbling ducks, tipping forward to feed on submerged vegetation without diving. They sometimes steal food from flocks of diving ducks or coots. You'll often see these ducks in pairs through the winter, because they select their mates for the breeding season as early as late fall. Habitat Gadwall breed mainly in the Great Plains and prairies. On migration and in winter, look for Gadwall in reservoirs, ponds, fresh and salt water marshes, city parks, sewage ponds, or muddy edges of estuaries.

Waterfowl: Birds: Species: Maine IF&W Waterfowl Introduction Ducks, geese, and swans belong to the family Anatidae, commonly know as waterfowl. There are about 150 species of waterfowl worldwide. In Maine, 34 species are found:15 species are residents during the breeding season, 18 species winter in Maine, and all 34 species migrate through Maine. Eleven dabbling ducks, 13 diving ducks, 6 sea ducks, and 4 geese comprise the 34 species of waterfowl found in Maine. Molt. Once birds reach adulthood, they have at least one annual and complete replacement of their plumage (feathers). This process is referred to as the molt. In addition to this annual molt, males of many species of ducks molt into a more colorful plumage prior to the breeding season, and females molt into a duller plumage prior to nesting to be better camouflaged. Geese have only one plumage and molt once a year. During the annual molt, waterfowl have a complete and simultaneous molt of their wing feathers, which leaves them flightless for 2 to 4 weeks.

Ducks often desert their breeding grounds, prior to the molt, in search of food-rich waters and areas that provide protection from predators while they are flightless. The molt occurs during the post-breeding period for male ducks, and during the brood rearing period for geese and female ducks. Did you Know? That breeding female eiders that have lost their eggs or ducklings are called Aunt's. They help protect ducklings of successful breeders from predators. The common eider is the largest duck in North America and has the largest egg. Incubating female eiders cover the eggs with down when they leave the nest to keep the eggs warm. Some waterfowl species will migrate hundreds of miles to areas where they molt their worn feathers. Some species of ducks will lay eggs in the nest of another duck leaving the other duck to incubate the eggs. Red-breasted mergansers do not nest in tree cavities like the common and hooded mergansers; they nest on the ground. Migration. As a whole, waterfowl make tremendously long migratory flights, traversing thousands of miles from their breeding grounds to their wintering grounds. This migratory nature is affected by the seasonal availability of food resources and favorable climate conditions.

During migration, waterfowl often fly continuously and land only when they are exhausted or weather conditions make flying difficult. Most fly at 40-60 miles per hour and fly from a few feet above the water to over 20,000 feet above sea level. The altitude of migration depends on terrain and the distance flown. Survival. Hunting, predation, starvation, disease, and accidents (e.g. striking power lines, drowning in fishnets, oil spills, etc.) are common sources of mortality for waterfowl. Unhatched eggs, ducklings before they reach flight stage, nesting hens, and flightless birds during the molt are the most vulnerable to predators. Common predators are small mammals (raccoons, skunks, fox, etc.), birds (gulls, owls, eagles, etc.) and snakes. Disease is probably the most important source of non-hunting mortality and can reach epidemic levels. Common diseases associated with waterfowl are botulism, fowl cholera, duck virus enteritis, and lead poisoning. Longevity. Generally, sea ducks and diving ducks live longer than dabblers and geese are the longest lived of all waterfowl.

Maximum life-span recorded from band returns were 23 years for a Canada goose, 8-23 years for dabbling ducks, 12-21 years for diving ducks, and 11-18 years for seaducks. The variation in life span is species dependent. For example, among the dabblers, a European widgeon had the lowest and a mallard had the longest maximum life span. Historical Management in Maine Distribution and Population Trends. Records of waterfowl numbers during settlement by Europeans are not available, but, in general, it is believed that waterfowl were more numerous then. In the 1950s, development of surveys, inventories, and banding programs provided indices to the population status of waterfowl. From 1950-1985, productions surveys in Maine have shown variable trends in Maine's common breeding waterfowl. Ring-necked ducks, hooded and common mergansers, mallards, and blue-winged and green-winged teal have increased. However, black ducks, wood ducks, and goldeneyes have been declining. Harvest Trends/Statistics and Season Changes.

Waterfowl harvests in the United States have been declining since 1978. This decline is a result of a combination of factors: hunter numbers have been declining, waterfowl populations were lower during the 1980s, and hunting regulations were more restrictive. Hunting Tips Set decoys close to your blind with one decoy at least 40 yards out. Be ready to dispatch cripples as soon as they hit the water and before they swim out of range. Know your equipment pattern your shotgun with hunting loads. practice shooting clay-pigeons prior to the season. Carry safety and first-aid equipment on all hunting trips. Remain still when birds are approaching your set. Move only at the last moment before shooting. In Maine, during the last 20 years, waterfowl hunter numbers have been declining steadily. Since the five year period, 1976-80, a 43% decline in the average number of duck stamps sold has been observed (Table1). Declines in black duck populations since the mid 1950's, led to a harvest reduction plan in the United States and Canada.

Waterfowl hunting season lengths were shortened from 50 days to 30 days between 1985-1993. Bag limits were also reduced from 5 to 3 birds per day, and special individual species restrictions of 1 black duck, 1 pintail, and 1 hen mallard were instituted. Between 1983 and 1987, black duck harvests were reduced in the U. S. by 42% and in Maine by 61%. In 1988, when 30 day seasons were first required, the prohibition on black duck hunting in early October was lifted. Season lengths increased in 1994 to 40 days and again in 1996 to 50 days, but the black duck season remained reduced. Dabbling Ducks Description Dabbling ducks common in Maine are the American black duck,the mallard, green-winged teal, blue-winged teal, and wood duck. Northern shoveler, Northern pintail, gadwall, European widgeon, American widgeon and fulvous whistling ducks also occur in Maine, but are less common.

Dabblers feed by dabbling at the water surface or by "upending" submerging their head and pitching their tail up. They will also feed on land in open areas. Several dabblers have bills adapted for straining tiny items out of muddy water. Females are mostly brown with spots or stripes, which helps them blend in when nesting. Males are generally more brightly colored, but some have similar plumage as the female (e.g. black duck). The male wood duck in its breeding plumage has earned the title of the most beautiful duck in North America. The crest of the head is iridescent green in front to purplish in the rear, burgundy feathers are found behind each eye, and the sides of the head are purple, blue-green, and bronze. Natural History Habitat and Food Habits. Black ducks, mallards, and pintails utilize a range of habitats (brackish, salt, and freshwater marshes, lakes, rivers, and beaver ponds), which leads to a diverse diet ranging from seeds of aquatic plants, to cultivated crops, to mollusk. Mollusk are less important part of mallards and pintails diet.

Wood ducks inhabit streams, rivers, flood plains, lakes, swamps, and beaver ponds. Acorns, when available, are the favored food of wood ducks. Green-winged and blue-winged teal have similar food habits and often feed together on mud flats and shallow marshes. Green-winged teal are primarily vegetarians, whereas, blue-winged teal will eat some animal life. Reproduction. Dabbling ducks first breed as one-year olds and begin nesting in March and April. The blue-winged teal is the last to reach its breeding grounds and thus nests the latest of all dabblers. Dabbling ducks form short pair bonds that weaken during the onset of incubation. Some pair bonds only last a few days after incubation begins whereas others maintain the bond up to 3 weeks into incubation. Dabbling ducks lay a clutch of 5-15 eggs with the average nest having 10 eggs. Incubation and nest success is variable among species. Hens incubate eggs for 22-30 days. Nest success ranges from 32-75%. Gadwell's have the highest nesting success and green-winged teal have the lowest.

Green-winged teal nesting success may be an underestimate, because nests and broods are difficult to observe. Most wood ducks establish pair bonds in late fall and winter and migrate to their breeding areas in pairs. Drake woodies remain with their mates longer than most ducks, allowing them opportunity to renest if their initial nest is lost. Wood ducks incubate their eggs for 28-37 days longer than other dabblers. Like common and hooded mergansers and common goldeneyes, wood ducks nest in tree cavities. A wood duck's average clutch size is 8-10 eggs. However, more eggs may be in a nest due to "dump nesting". Dump nesting refers to the activity of another duck laying her eggs in an established nest and leaving. The hen who established the nest may incubate the eggs or abandon the nest. Diving Ducks Description Diving ducks common in Maine are ring-necked ducks, common goldeneyes, buffleheads, hooded mergansers, and common mergansers. Greater scaups, lesser scaups, Barrow's goldeneyes, red-breasted mergansers, canvasbacks, redheads, and ruddy ducks are less common in Maine.

Diving ducks feed by diving from the surface and swimming underwater. They propel themselves through water with powerful strokes of their feet. Some also hold their wings partly open when submerged. Females tend to be evenly colored with shades of brown and, unlike female dabbling ducks, they do not have spots and stripes. Males are strikingly patterned in black and white. Mergansers are the only ducks that specialize in eating fish, and their bills are serrated to help grasp slippery fish. Natural History Habitats and Food Habits. The diet of diving ducks consists of aquatic vegetation (pondweeds, wild celery, delta duck potato, bulrus seeds, widgeon grass, eelgrass, etc.) and animal life (aquatic insects, fish, and mollusk). Ring-necks and redheads typically feed in shallower water, sometimes so shallow they do not need to dive. Merganser's diet consist primarily of fish and crustaceans, and the hooded merganser has the most diverse diet among the mergansers. Greater scaup feed on both plant and animal life, but clams constitute a major portion of their diet.

Lesser scaup, with the exception of sea ducks, feed in deeper water than any other diver, typically 10-25 feet deep. Lesser scaup feed primarily on animal life. Reproduction. Diving ducks typically first breed at 1 year of age, however scaup do not breed until 2 years of age. Diving ducks begin pairing in late winter, and pair bonds are generally established by early spring. Diving ducks have a strong homing ability with a large percentage of them returning to the same breeding areas each year. Hens begin nesting as early as April and as late a June with lesser scaup nesting late. The average nest has 9 eggs and hens incubate their eggs for 21-29 days. The hatching rate of eggs is variable among diving ducks ranging from 25-70%. Both scaup species have the lowest nesting success rate. Nest failure is caused by predation, flooding, and desertion. Predation is the greatest factor attributed to nest failure. Diving ducks may renest if they lose their nest early in the breeding season; but mergansers do not renest after loosing their initial nest, because males leave the breeding areas early.

Mergansers breed later (2 years), have longer incubation period (22-37 days), and nest earlier (Feb. to April) than other divers. Like other diving ducks, they have strong homing instincts and produce similar clutch sizes. Geese Description The snow goose, white-fronted goose, Canada goose, and Atlantic brant occur in Maine. The white-fronted goose, snow goose and Atlantic brant are only observed in Maine as they migrate through. The Canada goose is the only goose that breeds, winters, and migrates through Maine. Unlike ducks, a goose's plumage does not differ between males and females and subadult and adult geese. Canada geese have a black bill, black legs, black feet, and black neck. Their head is also black with a white cheek patch, and their wings and back are brown. Natural History Food Habits. The Canada goose, more than any other species of waterfowl, has benefited from the production of crops. Geese browse on grasses and the leaves of clovers and consume cultivated grains.

Clover, barley, wheat, rye, alfalfa, timothy, fescues, corn, oats, buckwheat, grain sorghums, and soybeans are among the most preferred. Large and open grain fields with an undisturbed body of water nearby to provide security, are essential. Reproduction. Most Canada geese return to the same breeding area year after year and nest the earliest of any waterfowl. Birds begin nesting as early as March to as late as May, depending on the latitude of breeding areas.Canada geese form life-long pair bonds with their mate, but if their mate dies, the survivor will seek a new mate. Some Canada geese breed as early as two years of age, but most breed for the first time at three years of age. The average clutch size is five eggs, but can range from 1-12 eggs per nest. The female incubates the eggs and may leaves the nest periodically to feed. The male watchfully guards the hen while she is on and away from the nest. The hen incubates her eggs for 25-30 days. About 70% of nesting pairs successfully hatch their eggs.

Nest failures are caused by desertion, destruction of nest by predators, and destruction of nests by natural agents (e.g. flooding). Desertion and destruction of nest by predators account for about 90% of all failed nests. Some geese will renest after losing the first nest. Survival. There is a wide range in mortality rates for geese due to the degree of shooting pressure. Immature birds have a higher mortality rate (39-65%) than adults (23-46%), and males have a higher annual mortality rate than females. Historical Management in Maine Distribution and Population trends. Prior to 1960, a breeding populations of geese was not present in Maine. The Department began a trap and transfer program of Canada geese from New Hampshire, New York, and Connecticut to establish a breeding population of geese in Maine. Also, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service trapped and transferred geese and raised them in pens on the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge. The young of these captive geese where released on the refuge to establish a local population. Due to these efforts, a resident goose population has been established and is increasing in Maine. Season Changes.

In 1995, the regular goose season was closed due to low production on the breeding areas coupled with overharvest. In 1996, a special early season was established to allow some harvest of resident Canada goose populations. This early season allows hunting between September 1 and September 25 in northeastern states. Past Management Goal and Objectives. During the 1980 planning period, the goal was to increase the distribution and abundance of Canada geese in remote portions of the State in order to provide increased use opportunity. The objective was to establish naturally sustaining flocks at 20 new locations in remote portions of the State. Current Management in Maine Current Distribution. Based on observations from brood counts, Canada goose populations have increased in all regions. Current Management Goals and Objectives. During the 1985, 1991, and 1996 planning periods, the goal was to increase breeding waterfowl populations to maximize fall populations. To meet this goal, two Abundance Objectives, a Harvest Objective, and a Habitat Objective were established.

The first Abundance Objective is to increase the distribution of Canada geese in WMU's 1,2, and 3 by 50% by 2001. The second Abundance Objective is to reduce the non-legal mortality of waterfowl populations by 25% by 2001. The Harvest Objective is to provide Maine hunters the maximum annual hunting opportunity through 2001, which will allow for achievement of the abundance objectives and be consistent with the Federal framework. The Habitat Objective is to maintain the quantity of wetland habitat at current levels (1990). Management Challenges. Because the regular goose hunting season is closed to allow migrant stocks to recover from earlier over-harvest, the Department's biggest challenge is to provide hunting opportunity for Maine goose hunters and control expanding flocks of resident Canada geese. Greater Scaup Greater Scaup Hover over to view. Click to enlarge. Greater Scaup Anseriformes The swans, geese and ducks are mid-sized to large birds most commonly found on or near water. Most have plump bodies, long necks and short wings.

Most feed while on the water, diving or merely tilting their bodies so that their heads and necks are submerged to search for fish, plants and invertebrates. Washington representatives of the order all belong to one family: Family: Anatidae The waterfowl family is represented in Washington by two distinct groups—the geese and swans, and the ducks. Whistling-ducks are also considered a distinct subfamily, and, although they have not been sighted in Washington in many years, Fulvous Whistling-Ducks have been recorded historically in Washington and remain on the official state checklist. All members of the waterfowl family have large clutches of precocial young. They hatch covered in down and can swim and eat on their own almost immediately after hatching. Status: Common winter resident. Rare summer. Listen: Maps General Description The male Greater Scaup has white flanks, a black rump and breast, and barred gray back. He has a green-black iridescent head and light gray-blue bill. The adult in its second year has a yellow eye. The male in non-breeding plumage has a black head and breast, brown body, and black rump.

The female is brownish overall, also with a yellow eye after the age of two. The female also has a white semi-circle at the base of the beak. The Greater and Lesser Scaup can be difficult to distinguish in the field. The Greater Scaup averages about 10% longer and 20% heavier than the Lesser Scaup. The Lesser Scaup has a peaked, angular head that the Greater Scaup lacks. The Greater Scaup has a larger bill with a more pronounced nail (tip of the bill) than the Lesser Scaup. Seen in flight, the white on the wings of the Greater Scaup extends into the primaries, where it is gray on the Lesser Scaup. Habitat, range, and season may help differentiate between the two species, as well as using a field guide and working with experienced observers. Habitat The Greater Scaup is the more northerly of the two species of North American Scaup. In the summer, they breed on marshy, lowland tundra at the northern limits of the boreal forest.

In winter, they gather in coastal bays, lagoons, and estuaries, with some wintering on inland lakes. While the Greater Scaup does overlap with the Lesser Scaup in winter, it tends to frequent more open, exposed areas. Behavior Outside of the breeding season, Greater Scaup form large flocks or rafts, numbering in the thousands. In tidal waters, they tend to face up-current. While individuals may drift downstream, birds from the back of the flock fly to the front, maintaining the raft in the same position. A diver, the Greater Scaup catches its food under water, but eats it on the surface. Occasionally scaups forage at or near the water's surface as well. Diet Mollusks and plant material are both important components of the Greater Scaup's diet. In the summer, aquatic insects and crustaceans are also eaten. Nesting While Greater Scaup may nest at one year of age, they are more likely to begin breeding at the age of two. Pair formation begins in late winter or early spring on the wintering grounds and during migration back to the breeding grounds.

The pair bond lasts until the female begins to incubate, and then the male leaves. Nests are located close to the water on an island, shoreline, or floating mat of vegetation, often close together in loose colonies. The female makes a shallow depression lined with grass. During incubation, the female adds down to the nest. Incubation of the 6 to 9 eggs lasts for 23 to 28 days. Soon after they hatch, the female leads the young to the water. Multiple broods may form small cr�ches and be tended by one or more females. The young can swim and find their own food immediately, but can't fly until about 40 to 45 days old. Migration Status Greater Scaups wintering in Washington breed in Alaska, although not all Alaskan scaups migrate down the West Coast. Some migrate along the Mississippi and Eastern flyways. Conservation Status Greater Scaups appear to be abundant, although confusion between the Greater and Lesser Scaup makes it difficult to track changes in population.

Estimates of scaup populations across North America put the Greater Scaup at about 11% of the combined continental scaup population, although the majority of the scaup wintering in Puget Sound are Greater Scaups. Their heavy concentration in coastal bays in winter makes the population vulnerable to oil spills and other pollution. When and Where to Find in Washington Greater Scaups are found during migration and winter in bodies of water in all lowland areas of Washington, although they are more common in salt water than they are in fresh water habitats. West of the Cascades, Greater Scaups start arriving in August and become common from September to mid-May, when most depart for northern breeding areas. Small numbers regularly summer in sewage ponds in western Washington. East of the Cascades they can be found from mid-October until mid-April before heading north. Abundance Lesser Scaup Lesser Scaup Hover over to view. Click to enlarge. Lesser Scaup Anseriformes The swans, geese and ducks are mid-sized to large birds most commonly found on or near water. Most have plump bodies, long necks and short wings.

Most feed while on the water, diving or merely tilting their bodies so that their heads and necks are submerged to search for fish, plants and invertebrates. Washington representatives of the order all belong to one family: Family: Anatidae The waterfowl family is represented in Washington by two distinct groups—the geese and swans, and the ducks. Whistling-ducks are also considered a distinct subfamily, and, although they have not been sighted in Washington in many years, Fulvous Whistling-Ducks have been recorded historically in Washington and remain on the official state checklist. All members of the waterfowl family have large clutches of precocial young. They hatch covered in down and can swim and eat on their own almost immediately after hatching. Status: Maps General Description The Lesser Scaup is one of the most abundant diving ducks in the Northwest. Male Lesser Scaups have white flanks, black rumps and breasts, and lined gray backs. They have purplish-black, iridescent heads and yellow eyes. Their bills are light gray-blue. Males in non-breeding plumage have black heads and breasts, brown bodies, and black rumps.

Females are brownish overall, also with yellow eyes, and white at the base of their bills. Greater and Lesser Scaups can be difficult to distinguish in the field. Lesser Scaups average about 10% shorter and 25% lighter than Greater Scaups. The Lesser has a peaked, angular head that the Greater lacks. Seen in flight, the white on the Lesser Scaup's wings fades to gray in the primaries. In the Greater Scaup, the white extends into the primaries. As always, taking into account habitat, range, and season may help differentiate between the two species, as well as using a field guide and working with experienced observers. Habitat In winter, Lesser Scaups are often found in dense flocks of hundreds and even thousands, on lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and sheltered bays. Lesser Scaup are far more likely than Greater Scaup to be found on fresh water inland during the winter. In summer, nesting habitat is small wetlands with emergent vegetation in boreal forests and parklands. During migration, Lesser Scaups spend their time on rivers, lakes, and large wetlands.

Behavior Lesser Scaups are divers, and can be very active when feeding. These scaups, like other ducks, form new pair bonds each year. They are one of the latest North American ducks to pair, with most pairs forming late in migration. They are gregarious throughout the year, with the exception of the laying and incubation period. Diet Aquatic invertebrates such as insect larvae, crustaceans, and mollusks make up the majority of the Lesser Scaup's diet. Seeds and other parts of plants are also eaten. Nesting Most Lesser Scaups probably breed at the age of two, nesting in late May through June. The nests are usually located on dry land close to water, in areas with dense cover, especially bulrush. The female builds the nest, which is a shallow bowl lined with grass and down. She lays 8 to 10 eggs and incubates them for 21 to 27 days. The male leaves when incubation begins. The young leave the nest within a day of hatching and head to the water, where they are tended by the female, but feed themselves. Two or more broods may come together and be cared for jointly by the females.

The young fledge at 47 to 54 days, usually in late August or early September. Migration Status Lesser Scaups are among the latest migrants moving north in the spring, still moving toward their breeding grounds in mid-May. In the fall, migration is equally late, with the last birds leaving the breeding grounds only when the water freezes. Conservation Status Declines have been observed in response to degradation of habitat, but the Lesser Scaup remains one of the most numerous and widespread North American ducks. It is difficult to determine long-term population trends of Lesser Scaup due to the similarity between the two species of scaups, large yearly fluctuations, and the late migration and breeding season of the Lesser Scaup. The North American population is not currently endangered, but is lower than desired by wildlife officials. Protection, restoration, and enhancement of habitats used during all seasons is under way to enable the population to rebound. When and Where to Find in Washington Most Lesser Scaups breed north of Washington, in sedge-dominated marshes in boreal climates, but some do breed in Washington. Although they are commonly found year round in appropriate habitat in eastern Washington, they are uncommon breeders here.

They are rare and local breeders in lowland ponds in the Puget Trough, with breeding confirmed at the Kent Sewage Ponds (King County), in Everett (Snohomish County), and Whidbey Island (Island County). They are common winter residents (from November to early May) in western Washington, and uncommon non-breeding residents the rest of the year. Click here to visit this species' account and breeding-season distribution map in Sound to Sage , Seattle Audubon's on-line breeding bird atlas of Island, King, Kitsap, and Kittitas Counties. Abundance Gadwall Gadwall Hover over to view. Click to enlarge. Gadwall Anseriformes The swans, geese and ducks are mid-sized to large birds most commonly found on or near water. Most have plump bodies, long necks and short wings. Most feed while on the water, diving or merely tilting their bodies so that their heads and necks are submerged to search for fish, plants and invertebrates. Washington representatives of the order all belong to one family: Family: Anatidae The waterfowl family is represented in Washington by two distinct groups—the geese and swans, and the ducks.

Whistling-ducks are also considered a distinct subfamily, and, although they have not been sighted in Washington in many years, Fulvous Whistling-Ducks have been recorded historically in Washington and remain on the official state checklist. All members of the waterfowl family have large clutches of precocial young. They hatch covered in down and can swim and eat on their own almost immediately after hatching. Status: Maps General Description Gadwalls are medium-sized, streamlined ducks with mottled brown-and-black body plumage and light brown heads. Females and males in eclipse plumage may look superficially similar to Mallards. Both sexes have a black and white wing-patch, or speculum, that is distinctive in flight. Males also have chestnut on the forewing. Males in breeding plumage have gray and black striations on their bodies and heads, and black rumps. Females, immatures, and eclipse-plumaged males have thin, black bills with orange on the sides, while males in breeding plumage have solid black bills. Habitat Ponds and marshes are the preferred habitat of the Gadwall, which is often found in deeper water than many other dabblers.

In western Washington, it is associated with developed and cleared areas and, on Puget Sound, shows a preference for urbanized habitats over less developed areas. Gadwalls are often found at sewage ponds. Behavior Gadwalls forage mainly while swimming, either taking items from the surface or dabbling in shallow water, or diving, which they are more likely to do than most other dabblers. They often follow American Coots, foraging on plants that have been brought up to the surface. Gadwalls seldom forage on land. They are more strongly monogamous than other ducks, with over 90% paired by November, 4 to 5 months prior to the breeding season. This monogamy is limited, however, and as with other ducks, the pair bonds dissolve upon the start of incubation, and males leave the breeding area to gather in bachelor flocks. Diet The preferred diet of the Gadwall is the invasive, exotic submergent, Eurasian Water Milfoil. Gadwalls, especially when they are young, also eat aquatic invertebrates and the occasional small fish. Nesting A late nester, the female Gadwall picks the nest site, which is usually near water and surrounded by dense weeds or grass.

The nest itself is on the ground, made of grasses and weeds and lined with down. The female lays 8 to 10 eggs, which she incubates for 24 to 27 days. Shortly after hatching, the young leave the nest and can swim and find their own food. The female remains with the young until they fledge at about ten weeks of age. Migration Status Gadwalls are short-distance migrants, most wintering north of the tropics. Many do not migrate at all, and they can be found year round in both western and eastern Washington. Most pairs arrive on the breeding grounds in early April. Fall migration lasts from late August to October and peaks in September. Conservation Status The Gadwall was traditionally a duck of the Midwestern prairies and was an uncommon sight in Washington. The conversion of the coniferous landscape to a more open one has helped create habitats more inviting to Gadwalls, as has the spread of Eurasian Water Milfoil into urban lakes. The first Gadwall nests in Washington were reported in the mid-1960s. Range-wide, the Gadwall population fluctuates greatly, but it continues to expand its range and does not appear to be in decline overall.

When and Where to Find in Washington Gadwalls are common breeders in the Columbia Basin of eastern Washington. They also breed in western Washington along the Columbia River and on the east shore of Puget Sound from Mount Vernon to Olympia. They are common in winter in wetland habitats in these areas, as well as along the coast. Click here to visit this species' account and breeding-season distribution map in Sound to Sage , Seattle Audubon's on-line breeding bird atlas of Island, King, Kitsap, and Kittitas Counties. Abundance Lesser Scaup at birding birds bird-opedia Lesser Scaup General description. The "Lesser Scaup" is similar to the "Greater Scaup", except that his crown is higher and forehead steeper, giving it a more angular appearance. The former diving duck's head is a glossy green, rather than purple. This bird has a dark breast and tail feathers. Drakes have a bright yellow iris. The Lesser is colloquially known as the "Little Bluebill" or "Broadbill" because of its distinctive blue bill.

The origin of the name 'scaup' may stem from the birds' preference for feeding on scalp - the Scottish word for clams, oysters, and mussels, however, some credit the female's discordant scaup call. "Lesser Scaup" forage mainly by sifting through the bottom mud, usually after diving and swimming underwater, occasionally by dabbling without diving. Female appearance. The female "Lesser Scaup" is dark brown with a small, white face patch and white band at the base of her bill, and is often lighter in the ear region. Her iris is orange or amber. Flight pattern. In flight, their white wing stipe appears short, extending about one-half of the wing's length. Breeding habits. Breeding begins in May, but most birds nest only in June, later than usual for North American waterfowl. Breeding grounds are located from interior Alaska and northern Canada south to Colorado and Iowa, occasionally farther east. Calls or song. These birds are not very vocal, at least compared to dabbling ducks.

Hens give the namesake discordant "scaup", "scaup" call and vocalize more often than the Greater Scaup, particularly during flight, but their call is weaker, a guttural "brrtt, brrtt". In courtship drakes produce weak whistles. Population and distribution. Found in large flocks on lakes and salt water inlets, "Lesser Scaup" winters along all three coasts. Nesting habits. The nest is a shallow depression, scraped in the ground and lined with plants and some down feathers. Nine to twelve dark olive-buff eggs are laid in it, some distance from the edge of the water. Similar birds: Garganey Garganey Hover over to view. Click to enlarge. Garganey Anseriformes The swans, geese and ducks are mid-sized to large birds most commonly found on or near water. Most have plump bodies, long necks and short wings. Most feed while on the water, diving or merely tilting their bodies so that their heads and necks are submerged to search for fish, plants and invertebrates.

Washington representatives of the order all belong to one family: Family: Anatidae The waterfowl family is represented in Washington by two distinct groups—the geese and swans, and the ducks. Whistling-ducks are also considered a distinct subfamily, and, although they have not been sighted in Washington in many years, Fulvous Whistling-Ducks have been recorded historically in Washington and remain on the official state checklist. All members of the waterfowl family have large clutches of precocial young. They hatch covered in down and can swim and eat on their own almost immediately after hatching. Status: Maps General Description The Garganey, an Old World dabbling duck, is closely related to the Northern Shoveler and the Blue-winged and Cinnamon Teals. Like these, it is found primarily in freshwater wetlands and shallow ponds, where it feeds by filtering small particles from water passed through its bill rather than by tipping up. The male in breeding plumage is unmistakable, with gray flanks and a bold, white eyebrow crossing to the back of the brown head and curving down toward the neck.

Females, juveniles, and non-breeding-plumaged males are difficult to separate from Blue-winged and Cinnamon Teals but have a stronger facial pattern than these. The Garganey breeds across Eurasia from the sub-Arctic to the temperate zone and winters in the northern tropics of Africa and Asia. It is a regular migrant in the outer Aleutians and a rare but widespread vagrant across North America. The first accepted Washington record was from the Chehalis River floodplain near Satsop (Grays Harbor County) in April–May 1991. The only other accepted state record was from the Columbia Basin, at Richland (Benton County) in December 1994. An older record of a bird collected near Mount Vernon (Skagit County) in April 1961 has not been reviewed by the Washington Bird Records Committee. Oregon and Idaho each have two or three records while British Columbia has several, including five from the Greater Vancouver vicinity. Revised June 2007 The RSPB: Gadwall Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae) Where to see them Visit gravel pits, lakes, reservoirs and coastal wetlands in winter.

To see breeding gadwalls look in the shallow edges of lakes and gravel pits where there is vegetation - mainly in the Midlands and south-east of England, eastern central Scotland, eastern Northern Ireland and the south-east of Ireland, and south-east Wales. When to see them Anytime of year, but chances are better in winter when numbers increase as birds migrate to spend the winter in the UK, away from harsher continental weather. What they eat

Question: Gadwell, Garganey and Scaup are all species of which bird?
Answer: Duck